Labor luminaries in class of their own

The private schools on Sydney’s north shore have provided some fine specimens to the Liberal Party over time, but Labor is not afraid to draw its talent from the one area either.

It is, of course, a little more grass-roots – we may be talking sub-soil here, or even mulch – but De La Salle College at Cronulla has emerged as clearly the school of choice for those wanting to get ahead in the ALP in NSW.

Only this week the Prince was reminded of the school’s alumni roll, when Bernie Riordan resigned as president of the NSW ALP.

Riordan is an open-minded bloke who suggested trade unionists could vote for another party if they wished.

For this small oversight he was forced out and replaced by one of his seniors at school.

Former Keating government minister Michael Lee also hails from De La Salle in the Shire. Lee’s year proved a very political bunch.

Also adhering to the motto Deo Duce (With God as Leader) was
Steve Hutchins
, another former president of the NSW ALP.

But the school’s leading light must surely be
John Della Bosca
, the former right-wing power broker and NSW heath minister. Della is best known for being married to the excitable
Belinda Neal
.